“We don’t need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly.” -Anne Marie Bonneau, Zero Waste Chef

As our beautiful Columbia River Gorge heats up, make sure that you are staying safe and cool! Columnist Erin Peters offers some great ways to identify if you’re getting too much sun, how to keep cool and even how to protect your pets on hot days.

Erin Peters takes us down a trail to some safer hiking with tips about what to do when encountering wildlife. Most of the time it ads to the adventure. But instead of fearing an encounter, put some information in your pocket about what to do. And then put on your boots and get out there.

Resistance is futile. The Wildflowers have won, and you can’t help but see them as even far-off hillsides grow yellow with petals. The glory of the Gorge is in its full magnificence, the sun beckons to kiss your face and all prospects of health and happiness are within your grasp. Your happy spot might be five minutes from your doorstep.

After 39 days into the new year, how are your resolutions or goals going? If you stuck with it for a week or two and then dropped it, think about why that is. Was your goal realistic? Attainable? Too strict? Too vague? Write down your goal (or goals) from the start of the year. Now think about how you can adjust, modify… to get it done.

Wight loss, saying no to things that make you unhappy, trying something new - are all great goals for the new year. But so are attainable goals and they are key to happiness, according to our columnist Erin Peters. When you start thinking about what you want to accomplish, try to make it something you can reach. You should be setting yourself up for success rather than failure. Read more here.

Thanks, COVID... No, really! No sarcasm here. If you ask people how COVID-19 has negatively impacted their lives, they could undoubtedly list off a slew of examples. So what about when people were asked about how COVID-19 has positively impacted their 2020 year?

Have you gotten your flu shot yet? If not, now is the time! We are getting into cold and flu season and it’s so important for you and your loved ones to cut back on viruses you’re exposed to this winter.

Where do you go to reset and refocus? Is it a real place or just a state of mind? People in and around town were asked where they go to relax, what makes it so special, who they enjoy their space with, if COVID-19 has made them feel differently about their happy place, and what they notice about themselves after they leave their calming space. Take a look at the positive outlooks these locals have…

We are now seven months into a global pandemic and you may have figured out ways to cope and process. We are also at the point where maybe your coping mechanism is starting to lose its effectiveness. Getting out to enjoy nature or tending to a garden can be a new way for you to prioritize your wellness and shift your focus. It can also help you prevent bad energy in your life.

Starting to exercise or beginning a healthy meal plan can be challenging. It’s easy to slip up and go back to your old ways if you don’t have people to hold you accountable. The best way to get started is to have someone, or a group of people, who are ready and excited to start on their health journey with you.

When you’re looking to eat healthier and be more intentional, stay away from diets that will dictate and restrict what you eat. Find ways to modify eating what you already enjoy, and create a plan that you can stick to and feel good about!

Give yourself lots of grace, but also know that you need to be responsible for your own wellbeing! Whether that means seeking out a counselor, setting aside time to meditate, or finding a friend to go on walks with, you need to know how to take that next step.

Masks do make workouts a bit more complicated. But after the first few minutes , many can ignore the fact that the mask is even there. It just takes some getting used to it. Options abound for those seeking a good physical challenge, whether taking a class, an online option or tackling the outdoors in the Gorge. Get out there. Get moving. And be safe about it.

The key to staying happy may be tied up in getting out and doing something fun, both good for mind and body. Read more by columnist Erin Peters